We’ve really enjoyed taking our kids on ski trips over the years. We’ve been to places like Snowshoe, Deer Valley (in 2019, 2021, and 2022), and Solitude Mountain. This year, we’re mixing things up and heading to Jackson Hole, Wyominga place none of us have skied before! We visited there two summers ago, and it was amazing. Im super excited to see it all covered in snow this time.
We first got our kids into skiing when Hailey was 6 and Kaitlyn was 3. Now, Haileys 11, and Kaitlyns 8, so weve been through plenty of ups and downs (and a lot of fun moments) over the years. After a few family ski trips, Ive picked up some tips that I hope will help you if you’re thinking about taking your own family on a ski vacation. I’m not an expertjust a mom who’s been through the ski trip chaos a few times. But hopefully, these tips will be useful!
Choosing a Location
First, lets talk about choosing a location. How easy is it to get there? Will you fly or drive? On our first family ski trip, we drove, and it worked out well because we had so much to packski gear takes up a lot of space! Since then, weve gotten better at packing light, and now we can fit everything into carry-ons.
When flying, weve learned to consider the kids’ ages and how travel might affect them. If its a short trip and were spending a whole day traveling, will the kids be able to get up and ski the next day without too much trouble? Or is it better to pick somewhere closer to reduce the travel time?
For us, Charlotte has a quick, 4-hour direct flight to Salt Lake City, which made places like Deer Valley and Solitude easy to get to. After a 4-hour flight, it’s just a 30-minute car ride to the resorts. Now that the kids are better at traveling, we can handle longer flights and even a couple of hours of driving if it means heading to a cool destination (were looking at you, Jackson Hole!).
Other things to think about: Does the mountain have good beginner terrain? Is there a ski school? How close is your lodging to the slopes and ski school? Youll be carrying the kids’ gear, and theyll be walking around in stiff ski boots, which can tire them out quickly. Being close to everything really helps! And dont forget about fun extras, like a hot tub. Our kids love that, so having one to relax in after a day on the slopes is a must for us.
Weve had good luck with condo rentals before. Having a kitchen for breakfast, space for the kids to play, and a living room for David and me to relax in with coffee in the morning has been great. For our next trip, were trying something new and staying in a hotel for the convenience of being closer to the mountain. Im curious to see how we all like the change!
SOLA Winter Sports Skiing Cross Country Backyard ski Set for Kids
The SOLA Winter Sports Ski Set for Kids includes cross-country skis and poles, perfect for outdoor fun and learning skiing in the backyard or on trails.
Ski School
Its easy to skip over lessons because they can be pricey, but trust me, theyre totally worth it. Ski school and private lessons not only make the kids safer on the slopes, but they also make skiing way more fun. When you can do something well, its just more enjoyable, right? Plus, my kids dont complain nearly as much in a group setting as they do with us. Ski school makes learning funtheres games, hot chocolate, snacksand gives the adults some freedom to enjoy the mountain on their own. Its like a full-day date for David and me!
A lot of kids get excited about ski school, but mine have always been a little iffy about it. Theyd rather be with us. Still, I think its worth pushing them to give it a try. The value a good ski instructor brings is huge!
What You Need to Know About Gear
If youve got some ski gear, I highly recommend pulling it all out about a month before your trip for a big try-on session. Its a good way to see whats been outgrown or whats gone missing, and you can fill in the gaps before you head out.
Being warm enough can make a huge difference, especially for kids. For adults, yes, but for kids, it can really make or break the experience. The key is layers. Make sure everyone has a good pair of long underwear as a base layer, a not-too-bulky mid-layer, waterproof bibs, and a well-insulated ski jacket. I prefer bibs for younger kids because they help keep the snow out when they inevitably end up sitting in it. We love the Obermeyer brandeverything has held up so well for us. Keep an eye out for used equipment sales or off-season deals because quality gear can last for years.
Balaclavas can be hit or miss for our crew. They definitely help with warmth, but Kaitlyn hates how they squeeze her face and mess with her hair. Still, they can be great for keeping in heat and make getting helmets on and off much easier.
Sklon Ski and Snowboard Harness Trainer for Kids
The Sklon Ski and Snowboard Harness Trainer helps kids learn skiing and snowboarding with added safety and support for a fun, easy learning experience.
Warm fingers and toes are a must, so go for wool blend socks and quality mittens (not gloves). For younger kids, mittens with a longer wrist area can help keep snow from sneaking in. Toe and hand warmers are nice, but they can be hit or miss with kids. The warmth is great, but sometimes they dont like the feeling of something in my boot, which can be a hassle.
If you can, borrow gear from friends. Kids grow so fast, its nice not to have to buy new stuff every year. We also shop after-season sales for quality gear, knowing itll last and can be passed down to the next kid.
We rent our skis and boots, but one thing weve found worth buying are helmets and goggles. Comfortable helmets that havent been worn by too many others, and clear goggles, are things we dont mind investing in. They pack easily, toojust pop the goggles and mittens inside the helmets and stuff them into a suitcase along with the other gear like long underwear.
Compression packing cubes are a lifesaver for fitting all the gear in and keeping it organized. Each of us has a cube for our base layers, socks, and neck gaiters. It makes packing and getting ready for a day on the slopes so much easier.
Also Read: What Core Exercises Improve Skiing Performance?
Attitude and Mindset
Lets be realfamily ski trips take work. Skiing with kids is pretty much the opposite of a relax on the beach with a drink vacation. But dont let that scare you off. Like most things in life, the experiences you have to put some effort into are often the most rewarding. You might feel like giving up before you even leave the condo, but push through it. Here are a few tips for those tough moments:
Once your kids are all suited up, get them outside as quickly as possible. Inside the condo, youll probably hear a lot of complaints about itching, being too hot, or feeling uncomfortable. Dont fully suit them up until youre ready to head out where the snow can distract them.
Leave for the slopes earlier than you think you need to. Ski mornings are always chaotic, and it takes longer than you expect. You dont want the stress of rushing to ruin your day.
If you can, let the kids walk to the slopes in regular snow boots, then switch to ski boots at the base and store the snow boots in a locker. Itll save some hassle.
Remember, they might not love skiing at firstand thats okay. Maybe they will, but if not, learning something new can be frustrating. Weve had our fair share of meltdowns, with kids not wanting to suit up or go to ski school. But by the end of the day, theyre always happily exhausted and proud of what they accomplished. You might have to push them at first or leave a crying child behind, but trust me, we’ve all been there!
Athalon Everything Ski Boot Bag and Backpack
The Athalon Everything Ski Boot Bag and Backpack offers convenient storage with multiple compartments for ski gear, boots, and accessories, perfect for any skier.
Pack snacks! We have a family tradition where everyone picks out their favorite candy bar, and in the afternoon, we find a snowbank with a view and enjoy our treats together.
Dont forget to hydrate! Start getting everyone to drink more water before the trip. Altitude sickness is real, and staying hydrated helps. We all drink electrolytes at least once a day (the kids split a pack). While on the slopes, David wears a camelback and can easily share water with any thirsty kid.
Set your expectations low. Depending on the kids age and the weather, how much skiing you actually get to do might vary. On colder days with younger kids, it might be a few runs, followed by a long break to warm up, and then repeating. It can be tough to watch other skiers while youre sitting inside on a picnic table, knowing you paid for that pricey lift ticket, but taking breaks makes the kids happier, and the experience more enjoyable for everyone.
Whew, thats a lot, right? But its all part of the adventure!